Getaway Guide To Spring Mountain
Find Delaware Valley skiers or riders on any mountain, on any continent, and chances are that their first awkward runs were taken on the learning slope at Spring Mountain. Many among the elder skiers will tell tales of the stern Austrian Ski School Director, Gunter "Bend ze knees, two dollars, please." Starker. He was tough, but wow, did you learn. The tradition has mellowed but Spring Mountain in central Montgomery County is still the regional teaching mountain for area kids and adults. The slopes and trails also provide adult challenge and cruising, day and night. Let's take a few runs. -- Jay Lloyd
SPRING MOUNTAIN
This compact snow sports area combines seven slopes and trails on two distinct sides of the mountain with connector trail providing the links that allow skiers and riders to easily move from one side to the other. The wide, easy to traverse slopes, directly over the base lodge offer the learning terrain and the cruising runs for upwardly mobile intermediate sliders. The back side of the mountain holds the challenge in black diamond trails, intermediate runs and a multi feature terrain park.
Five lifts carry the traffic to the heights on both mountain faces. A lively tubing park operates on the lodge side, and for kids as young as 3, there's a "Mole Hill" where they can ride a magic carpet lift and learn the basics of standing and maneuvering on skis. Navigate here for lift ticket and rental tariffs: https://www.springmountainadventures.com/daily-rates
SKI SCHOOL
The heart of Spring Mountain is the venerable ski school which has taught several generations of area skiers and riders. Staffed by professional instructors, it has a reputation for being the leading feeder area for Pennsylvania snow sport resorts to the North and West. Learn here, soar there. The hottest program here is the "Kids After School" course. This year will see expanded hours for the plan which runs in 4 and 8 week cycles. They can start at the rank beginner stage and range to advancing skiers and riders. If you're merely young at heart, but advanced in age, a similar 4 week lesson plan, gets you tuned up for a blast on snow. The school offers private and group lessons for adults and youngsters plus a "Ski Bee" gathering for kids at 3, 4 and 5 years old. The Prices? Look right here: https://www.springmountainadventures.com/lessons
RENTALS
If you're just starting out and haven't invested in equipment, the rental shop is fully stocked with brand name skis, boards, boots, poles and helmets. In case I haven't mentioned, the mountain is owned and operated by Rick and Gayle Buckman, the same family that has outfitted snow seekers for decades at the Buckman Ski Shops. Full equipment rentals check out at $28 on weekdays and $33 on weekends.
EATS AND SIPS
The Lodge fuels up hungry young skiers and riders with popular pizza, burgers, dogs, snacks and soft toddies on the main floor in a rustic ski chalet setting with plenty of tables and expansive views of the slopes. Adults in the crowd, looking for an intimate environment within reach of a craft beer, a glass of wine and a favorite salad and sandwich, head for the upstairs Powder Pig Pub. Now in its' second season, the Pub is the landing spot after a day or evening on the slopes or a pit stop between runs.
LODGING
Just a mile from the mountain and operated by the Buckmans, you'll find the restored landmark, Woodside Lodge. Uniquely furnished suites with sitting rooms are just one flight of stairs away from a ski buzz bar and a restaurant that serves up both American and Continental flavors with a nod to popular Asian temptations. The menu ranges from entrees to finger food favorites - Lobster Newburg to Burgers. Room rates are a reasonable $129 a night on weekdays and $149 for weekends, including breakfast: https://www.springmountainadventures.com/rooms-and-rates
Note: Spring Mountain offers a 4th grade program that offers area 4th graders a free season pass, a starter lesson and a couple of free rentals to get them on the road to a lifetime sport. The sign-up deadline is January 31st: https://www.springmountainadventures.com/fourth-graders-free
GETTING THERE
From Philadelphia: Schuykill Expressway (route 76) west to Blue Route (476) North to Northeast Extension (still 476) to exit 31. Turn right onto Route 63. Take Route 63 thru Harleysville crossing over Route 113. After 113 intersection, travel approximately 2 miles to Shelly Road. Turn left on Shelly Road. Go 2 miles and turn right on Spring Mount Road and follow signs to Spring Mountain.
or
From the western suburbs south of Schwenksville, work your way to route 29 north. Go through Schwenksville and turn right on Spring Mountain Rd. to the mountain. If north of Schwenksville, head south on 29 and make a left onto Spring Mountain Rd. Follow signs to the mountain.
